Chuck Hagel, left, is sworn into office as the 24th defense secretary by Michael Rhodes, the Defense Department's director of administration and management, as Hagel's wife, Lilibet, holds a Bible at the Pentagon, Feb. 27,(DOD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley)
Chuck Hagel officially became the 24th defense secretary during a private ceremony at the Pentagon Wednesday morning.
The former Nebraska senator has a busy first day ahead of him. After meeting with senior staff, he will address military and civilian officials at the Pentagon.
Later in the day, Hagel will meet with service secretaries and attend meetings at the White House.
Hagel comes into the job just two days before $46 billion in defense spending cuts, know as sequestration, are triggered. Safe to say, that will be among the topics of discussion during his meetings on Wednesday.